Workers at Allegheny General Hospital got a big “thank-you” from HBO Max on Wednesday.
The streaming service behind hit medical drama “The Pitt” set up a day-long “gifting suite” at the hospital. They also had an advance screening of season two, episode two of “The Pitt,” which wasn’t scheduled to stream for the public until Thursday. In advance of the show, they had a red carpet set up for hospital workers to glam it up in photos.
Allegheny General Hospital’s exterior serves as the backdrop for the Emmy Award-winning series, which takes place at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
“As the show continues its momentum — we just got renewed for season three, which is exciting — we’re really looking forward to finding ways to give back to health care workers as best we can,” said Patrick Phillips, a marketing manager for HBO Max.
The suite included breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between, as well as a menu of themed mocktails, five-minute massages, swag bags and other treats.
“We love ‘The Pitt,’ ” said Stephen Marecic, a surgical technologist at Allegheny General Hospital, who was taking advantage of the suite and red carpet on Wednesday afternoon.
“We grabbed lunch earlier, and mocktails,” said Gina Boggio, robotic surgery coordinator, who was with him.
“Massages and everything like that,” Marecic added. “It was so nice and relaxing.”
“They wanted to do something to thank the employees for everything they do,” said Dr. Thomas Campbell, vice president of wellness for Allegheny Health Network and an emergency medicine physician. “We really are grateful that HBO Max is showing appreciation back for all of the hard work that health care providers are providing. As well as the show itself, showing some of the struggles as well as the gratitude.”
Hundreds of employees made their way through the suite throughout the day, and groups of grinning workers availed themselves of the pre-screening red carpet. Campbell said the event was so popular they even ran out of some items in the gifting suite.
Campbell is a big fan of “The Pitt,” as well.
“I think it does bring our daily life in medicine to the public, to get to see some of the things we do. Some of the satisfaction as well as our struggles,” he said.
